In its official status, the Départment/Région of Guadeloupe is an archipelago of French possessions. This archipelago includes the islands of St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, Les Saintes, La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Guadeloupe itself. In practice however, the name Guadeloupe simply refers to the butterfly-shaped island of Guadeloupe. Its 530 square miles encompass dramatic rain forests, towering waterfalls, magnificent beaches and picturesque villages. Guadeloupe is actually made up of two islands connected by a bridge over the Rivière Salée. To the east lies Grande-Terre, known for its white sand beaches, rolling hills, cane fields and resort areas. Located here is the economic capital of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre. To the west lies Basse-Terre, the larger of the two islands. Basse-Terre has a very different topography with its renowned rain forest, waterfalls, mountains and world-class diving. The capital of Guadeloupe, on this western-wing, also bears the name, Basse-Terre. On both sides, friendly West Indian hospitality and delicious cuisine enhance the natural wonders of Guadeloupe.